With so many different settings on your laundry machines, it can feel like a puzzle to figure out which one is best to use. In particular, you might notice “tumble dry” listed on a lot of your clothing labels’ care instructions.

So what exactly is this setting, and when should you utilize it? Ahead, we break down the basics—including what temperature you should use for different fabrics as well as tips to make your clothing last longer through cycles.

What Is Tumble Dry?

Tumble drying simply refers to machine drying clothing items rather than line drying them. The setting is called “tumble dry” because clothes in the dryer tumble around in the drum, where airflow and heat help them dry efficiently.

So, almost any setting on your machine likely qualifies as tumble dry—including normal, casuals, delicates, or even air fluff.

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Understanding Tumble Dry Settings

There are different tumble dry settings you can use, which differ based on the amount of heat they produce. Here’s what to know about them, and which types of items they are best suited for:

Tumble Drying on High

If your laundry care label has instructions to “tumble dry high,” you should use a dryer setting with high heat. This may be listed as the “heavy duty” or “sanitize” cycle, depending on the model of your machine. These tumble dry settings can reach up to 140°F. It should primarily be used on fabrics that take a long time to dry and are sturdy enough to withstand high heat.

This setting is best for: durable fabrics like beach towels, sweatshirts, cottons, or polyester blends

Tumble Drying on Low

This setting refers to drying an item on a low heat setting, such as a delicate or gentle cycle. These temperatures may reach up to 125°F. Tumble drying on low is designed for more delicate and high-sensitive fabrics, which may otherwise be prone to wearing or fraying with increased heat. It can also help preserve a garment’s fit and performance.

This setting is best for: knitwear, spandex, exercise clothes, lingerie, sheer clothes, clothing with embellishments (like sequins or decals)

Tumble Drying with No Heat

Tumble drying without any heat takes it down a notch, cycling clothes with just room temperature air. This prevents shrinking and wear, even more than low heat settings for particularly delicate clothes. It may be labeled as “air only” or “air fluff” on certain machines.

This setting is also often used to freshen up, re-fluff, or remove hair and dust from items between washes. It takes longer to dry items with this setting compared to tumble drying on low or high, but it is still faster than line drying due to the extra air flow.

This setting is best for: winter coats, items with hair or dust stuck to them, fluffing pillows, and blankets

Tips for Tumble Drying

• Don’t overstuff the dryer: Putting too many clothes in the dryer can cause clothes to bunch up, blocking airflow and slowing down drying time. It can also cause fabrics to wrinkle.
• Don’t tumble dry every item: Some fabrics like cashmere, silk, lace, leather, and suede should not be tumble dried at all because they break down with excessive heat or movement.
• Throw in a towel or dryer balls: A clean, dry towel or wool dryer balls tossed in with washed clothes can soak up excess water and reduce drying time.
• Keep like clothes together: Drying similar fabrics prevents fast-drying items like exercise clothes from over-drying and wearing down.
• Regularly clean the lint screen: Doing this after every load ensures proper air circulation and speeds up drying time.